How does a quality sugar is determinated?

To determinethe quality of sugar, all countriesagreed to respectthe following criteriaofanalysis:

sugarpurity

the appearanceorcolor type

thesolution color

ash content

The purityofa sugar,is obtained by measuringthedegreeofpolarizationthatis obtainedin degreesorin%sugar, it indicates thecontentofpure sucrose.Furthermore, the quality of sugaris estimated inan international plan ofpolarimetryand is expressed in %. Raw sugar(or brown) has less than99.5%, while thewhite sugarwill have more than99.5%[Analysis ICUMSAMethodGS2/3-1*(1994)].Tobe labeled as "white sugar", the polarization of thesugarmust be more than99.5%!

All these qualitiesare measured accordingto specific analysismethodsthat allow to classifywhite sugarin fourcategories.It isimportant to know thatabout a quarterofbeet sugarproducedin Francecomes under the category1 (the highest quality), and the otherthree quartersare category2.This meansthattheFrenchbeetcontains more than99.7%pure sucrose.

(*)ICUMSA(International CommissionforUniform Methodsof Analysisbeet) is a global organizationthat brings togetherthe activitiesof the National CommitteesforSugarAnalysisin more thanthirty member countries.

What are the special sugars?

These include, forexample, the "vergeoise", which is obtained by a long cookingof sugarduringcrystallizationcycles. Its colorandfragranceare the resultoftheformationofcolored ingredients, as caramel while heating.

Is there a deadline for sugar consumption?

The crystallized sugar, is also called "sugars in solid form," are not subject to the labeling including a durability date.

Because of the lack of moisture in granulated sugar, there is no microbiological risk, therefore there is no consumption Deadline (DLC) for sugar.

In terms of taste, granulated sugar is extremely stable, which also dispenses the labeling of a Deadline of Optimal Utilization (BBD).

The European Directive on labeling CE/79/112 as been recently amended by the European Directive EC 200/13 (1), In fact it is established a list of foodstuffs exempt from such labeling, this list contains the "sugar in solid form "

(1) EC 200/13 dated 20 March 2000, published May 6, 2000.

Does sugar helps to gain weight?

If sugar is taken without excess sugar is not fattening.

Moreover, a lump of sugar contains only 28 kcal.

It's only because of an excessive and repeated sugar eating habits that can ultimately be detrimental to health.

The point is to control and balance the weakness for sweet things and real needs.

A good diet consists in 30 to 35% fat, 10-15% protein and 50-55% carbohydrates.

What is it exactly, the refined sugar ?

Beet or cane sugar- There is only one sugar extraction process:In a sugar mill, the beet or cane sugar juice is collected and then is filtered, later is concentrated by evaporation prior to crystallization.- White sugar and brown sugar, one major difference:Beet sugar comes naturally white, while cane sugar crystallizes with a color that goes from blond to brown, due to pigments present only in the cane sugar.

Brown cane sugar becomes white ...: refiningTo become white, brown cane sugar is melted and cleared of any colour in a refinery: there is no chemical modification.Only the white cane sugar is a refined sugar.

Some statistics...• 92% of sugar sales in France are of white beet sugar (unrefined).• Brown sugar cane, also called "brown sugar", represents only 4%.• White sugar cane (the only refined sugar) is 4% of sugar sold in France.